The high growth rates that have been featured in the media are not representative of changes in the averages, or are distorted by calculations using only the consumer share of premiums, which are often heavily subsidized.

“Risk scores were stable in the individual market and decreased by 4 percent in the small group market.“CMS, 2017, page 5.

There was no evidence of a death spiral nationally, or that the exchanges are unsustainable nationwide, even if some states are in trouble because they did not allow the Medicaid expansion or promote the exchange.

Instead of the national averages, the media has generally been discussing outliers. Plus this data shows that the average health status in the plans was stable, not exploding last year. There is no evidence nationally of a death spiral.

These national average monthly premiums ($414) are lower than the total premiums for single coverage plans offered at Boston Unviersity (currently $636 and $599 for employer+employee contributions).

The following July 21 2017 report from the Wakely Consulting Group ( a consulting firm) is the most up to date analysis I have seen.